Brikette's October Fiesta!

Back in August 2015, Dolldom featured a 16-inch Brikette doll by Vogue Doll Company in an entry that aimed to show the babe's charm. Titled Back-to-School with Brikette, the article addressed the doll's bad rap after being cast in 1963as Talky Tina in the Season Five, Episode Six ( titled "Living Doll") of the iconic TV show The Twilight Zone. What we wrote then, holds strong today: there's nothing wrong when a doll says no to a bully.

In today's entry, Dolldom wishes to address, and not at all in depth, why Brikette and dolls (or anthropomorphic figures in general) may sometimes elicit a reaction (clearly not from dollectors) that exemplifies the Freudian concept of the uncanny. Das Unheimliche, about which he wrote 105 year ago, is the fear of the inanimate coming to life. But what may for some be fear inducing, is, for others, a life-long fascination.

It's October and the days are getting shorter; what was once 7:00 pm is now 5:00 and the oaks are shedding their foglie with utter abandon. And because life is not always a party, we must, at times, make an effort to make a little happiness happen. To boot, October, not unlike Brikette, can also suffer from generalizations and assumptions based on it's end-of-the-month extravaganza, which is why Brikette, in her 22-inch iteration, invites you to partake of her October Fiesta! It's October and we can play still outdoors and not worry about being too cold! 

For this entry, Brikette models one of her original outfits and a selection of garments acquired from The Doll Mercantile in Petaluma, California. A magical realm, The Doll Mercantile not only sells vintage dolls and dollhouses but also offers expert restoration services and a not-to-miss boutique where local dollectors and their traveling counterparts can take their dolls to try on fab garb. 

May the leftover days of October bring you kindness, serenity, and the simple joys of doll play. 

"Wanna play?" - asks Brikette. 

In denim shorts and a turquoise blouse from The Doll Mercantile, Brikette is ready for hide-and-seek. 

Yep, pumpkins and ghosts are coming! But in the meantime, let's enjoy this feels-like-summer weather in a linen blouse and vintage cotton print set from The Doll Mercantile. 

A cozy sweater is a must because sometimes breezes can chill you! Vintage sweater and skirt from The Doll Mercantile. 

Pumpkinlandia! Jack o'lanterns abound and Brikette hides from her friends behind them in one of her original fashions. 

But, alas, Brikette was found by her friend, a 22-inch Betsy McCall by American Character in a scary mask and sunglasses! Now, let's go have sandwiches and Pepsi! 

Bye now! 

Back-to-School with Brikette!

Brikette!



Vogue Doll Company of Medford, Massachusetts offered this most unique babe in 1959 in an impressive 22-inch size. Born in Italy as a Bonomi doll, Brikette sold in the USA as a licensed copy. With her "Orange Crush" blunt cut and green-as-chlorophyll flirtatious gaze, Brikette jumped into the scene to wonder and bewilder many a child. For who could resist her charms?

In 1960, Vogue issued a 16" version which Dolldom profiles in its tribute to the joys of this back-to-school time of the year. As children prepare for another year of fun academic endeavors, many of them demanding historical (and some may say hysterical) research, Dolldom also offers important information about Brikette's past.

For in 1963, Brikette was cast as Talky Tina in the Season Five, Episode Six ( titled "Living Doll") of the iconic TV show The Twilight Zone.

Let's watch Brikette as she acts her way to infamy. Now, Dolldom would like to do a bit of revisionism and propose that instead of being a scary, murderous doll, Talky Tina was simply a doll that had the guts to say no to a bully. Not a bad message to impart! 

All conflicts aside, Brikette remains an unforgettable doll with great fashion aspirations as the following publicity and advertising photos prove.





Dolldom's exclusive portfolio features a 16-inch Brikette in a perfect-fit vintage fashion (not original to the line) as well as in an alternate skirt and blouse set. These were perhaps made for another doll, but offers our "impish show-off" colorful styles in which to bring joy to any household.




"Hola, me llamo Brikette y soy tu amiga."




Brikette's swivel waist allows her to dance happily in the garden.


"Hello, Brikette, I'm a wind-up bear made in the Soviet Union!" "Hello, there comrade bear!"

Under The Tree

What will be under the tree? Many children, past and present, have toyed with the idea of waking up on Christmas morning to find a much desired plaything under tree. "Santa Claus read my letter, he knew what I really wanted!" - exclaimed many a child or child at heart. The echo of such expressions of happiness may still heard by the kind of heart. To celebrate the holidays, Dolldom brings an exclusive portfolio of possible Christmas morning scenes spanning the decades.

May your child, real offspring or the one nurtured inside your soul, enjoy the delight of a new doll on this wonderful time of the year.


"Zippy the Chimp" by Cosmopolitan may have been a much desired playmate the Christmas of 1957.


 Perhaps a sailor "Mickey" by Effanbee also in 1957?


Dolldom goes farther into the woods of time. A rare set of composition wolves by Freundlich, circa 1941, begs for a Little Red Riding Hood doll to keep them company.


This vinyl Patsyette, made by Tonner owned Effanbee in 2004, could have also delighted a child in 1934  in her original composition incarnation.


Daisy, by Jung Hee Park, made children's eyes sparkle in 2011.


The classic film A Christmas Story is all about getting a much desired toy. In the case of Ralphie, it is a BB gun. Doll by Tonner Doll circa 2012.


Licca and Wataru graced many a tree in 1967! These reproduction dolls wear INOMI and MforMonkey fashions.


Vogue's Brikette! The impish red headed gal, circa 1959, must have been quite a sight under the tree. Remembered by many as Talking Tina from The Twilight Zone, the doll does enjoy good popularity.


American Character's 14-inch Betsy McCall was the doll to dream about in 1958. She still is!


What about a Troll doll? They were all the rage for many years in the 1960's. This one by Daum, has a soft mohair wig and tortoise shell eyes.


In 1937, this Effanbee Charlie McCarthy composition ventriloquist doll was a sight to behold! His Renwall doll dates back to 1952.


The Flying Nun!  Sally Field's adorable character in doll form, created by Hasbro, dates back to 1967.




What about 2014? Well, for good little children, there may be a tiny and a micro porcelain Myling dolls by Katarina Carlsson's Hemligast line of handmade dolls.

Dolldom wishes you a Christmas filled with the wonder of childhood's reverie.